PhD in Sociology - Political Sociology and Social Movements in Irvine United States | University of California Irvine

Political sociology and social movements represent two key, interconnected fields of sociological study, both domestically and globally, serving as a primary research and teaching emphasis in the UCI Sociology Department. Over the last six years, with the inclusion of new faculty members, this research group has not only emerged as a foundational pillar of the Department's academic work but has also grown into one of the nation's leading programs for examining social movements and similar collective actions. The strength of this research cluster stems from both the quantity and reputation of its faculty members, as well as the diverse range of their research in terms of subject matter, theory, and methodology, as evidenced by their recent publications and ongoing projects. Like the rest of the Department, faculty in this area collaborate extensively with students, providing opportunities for them to contribute to faculty-led initiatives or receive guidance on their own research. Students can also benefit from two affiliated initiatives: the emerging Center for the Study of Collective Action, which fosters collaborative research, seminars, and workshops among faculty and students campus-wide, and the Social Justice & Social Movement seminar, held twice a month to review and discuss ongoing work related to politics and social movements.